MEDICATION GUIDE

What is the most important information I should know about methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules?

Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules are a federal controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse.Selling or giving away methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your doctor if you or your child have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.

The following have been reported with use of methylphenidate hydrochloride and other stimulant medicines:

1.

Heart-related problems:

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sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects

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stroke and heart attack in adults

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increased blood pressure and heart rate

Tell your doctor if you or your child have any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems.

Your doctor should check you or your child carefully for heart problems before starting methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

Your doctor should check you or your child’s blood pressure and heart rate regularly during treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

Call your doctor right away if you or your child has any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

2.

Mental (Psychiatric) problems:

All Patients

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new or worse behavior and thought problems

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new or worse bipolar illness

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new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility

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new psychotic symptoms (such as hearing voices, believing things that are not true, are suspicious) or new manic symptoms

Tell your doctor about any mental problems you or your child have, or about a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression.

Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems while taking methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, especially seeing or hearing things that are not real, believing things that are not real, or are suspicious.

What are methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules?

Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules are a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

It is not known if methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules are safe and effective in children under 6 years of age.

Who should not take methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules?

Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules should not be taken if you or your child:

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are allergic to methylphenidate hydrochloride, or any of the ingredients in methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

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are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor MAOI.

Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules may not be right for you or your child. Before starting methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, tell your or your child’s doctor about all health conditions (or a family history of) including:

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heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure

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mental problems including psychosis, mania, bipolar illness, or depression

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circulation problems in fingers or toes

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if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules will harm your unborn baby.

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There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to ADHD medications, including methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of females exposed to methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules and their baby. If you or your child becomes pregnant during treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry of ADHD medications at 1-866-961-2388 or visit online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/adhd-medications/.

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if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed the baby during treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

Your doctor will decide whether methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

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anti-depression medicines including MAOIs

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blood pressure medicines (anti-hypertensives)

Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

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You should not take methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules on the day of your operation of a certain type of anesthetic is used. This is because there is a chance of sudden rise in blood pressure and heart rate during the operation.

Do not start any new medicine while taking methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules without talking to your doctor first.

How should methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules be taken?

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Take methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.

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Take methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules once a day in the morning. Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release is an extended-release capsule.

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Do not chew or crush methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules or the medicine inside the capsule. Swallow methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules whole with water or other liquids.

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If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine over a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the applesauce and medicine mixture without chewing. Follow with a drink of water or other liquid.

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You should avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. This may cause a faster release of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

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From time to time, your doctor may stop methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.

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Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules. Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.

In case of poisoning, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

What are possible side effects of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules?

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see “What is the most important information I should know about methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules?” for information on reported heart and mental problems.

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painful and prolonged erections (priapism) have occurred with methylphenidate. If you or your child develops priapism, seek medical help right away. Because of the potential for lasting damage, priapism should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.

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circulation problems in fingers and toes (peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon):

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fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful

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fingers or toes may change color from pale, to blue, to red

Tell your doctor if you or your child have numbness, pain, skin color change, or sensitivity to temperature in the fingers or toes.

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Call your doctor right away if you have or your child has any signs of unexplained wounds appearing on fingers or toes while taking methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

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Slowing of growth (height and weight) in children

Common side effects include:

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fast heart beat

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abnormal heartbeat (palpitations)

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headache

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trouble sleeping

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nervousness

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sweating a lot

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decreased appetite

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dry mouth

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nausea

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stomach pain

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

How should I store methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules?

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Store methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in a safe place and in a tightly closed container at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).

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Protect from moisture.

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Dispose of remaining, unused, or expired methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules by a medicine take-back program at authorized collection sites, such as retail pharmacies, hospital or clinic pharmacies, and law enforcement locations. If no take-back program or authorized collector is available, mix methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules with an undesirable, nontoxic substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds to make it less appealing to children and pets. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag and throw away (discard) methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in the household trash.

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Keep methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules that is written for healthcare professionals. Do not use methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules to other people, even if they have the same symptoms. It may harm them and it is against the law.

What are the ingredients in methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules?

Active ingredient: methylphenidate hydrochloride

Inactive ingredients: ammonio methacrylate copolymer, black iron oxide (10 and 40 mg capsules only), gelatin, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, red iron oxide (10 and 40 mg capsules only), sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, and yellow iron oxide (10, 30, and 40 mg capsules).

Distributed by:
Sandoz Inc.
Princeton, NJ 08540

For more information, call 1-800-525-8747.

T2021-101